A1 Journal article (refereed)
Are family-friendly organisations friendly for children? Navigating work, families with children, and discursive power use within organisations (2024)

Heikkinen, S., Peltoperä, K., & Kokko, A. (2024). Are family-friendly organisations friendly for children? Navigating work, families with children, and discursive power use within organisations. Community, Work and Family, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2024.2349047

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Heikkinen, Suvi; Peltoperä, Kaisu; Kokko, Anna

Journal or series: Community, Work and Family

ISSN: 1366-8803

eISSN: 1469-3615

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 06/05/2024

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Routledge

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2024.2349047

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94931

Abstract

Organisations benefit from promoting a family-friendly approach and offering a variety of work-family practices, yet this understanding is not monolithic. A critical discourse analysis is applied herein to interpret the manners of talk and meaning-making around work and families with children and the constructions of (un)family-friendliness in organisations. Particularly, we focus on how the family-friendliness is connected with power configurations within organisations. Focus group research data were gathered from 32 participants in two companies (industry and service). Consequently, we introduce three discourses: (1) optimatisation, (2) leaning on the rules and (3) moral reasoning. These discourses highlight the variance and complexity of how family-friendly approaches are interlinked with organisations’ power use. A more profound understanding of children is needed when theorizing and promoting family-friendly approach in organisations.

Keywords: families; family life; work; working life; children (family members)

Free keywords: family-friendly organisation; work-family interface; family- friendliness; children; power use; critical discourse analysis

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1